Lori Lynn Andersen, the wife of Dr. Wayne Andersen, the co-founder and chief medical officer of Optavia, a health and wellness company, passed away on May 3, 2018, at the age of 57. She died peacefully in her sleep from cardiac arrest, according to her obituary. Her sudden death shocked and saddened many people who knew her personally or through her involvement in Optavia.
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Who Was Lori Lynn Andersen?
Lori Lynn Andersen was born in 1960 in Dayton, Ohio, to Dr. Thomas Hetzel and his wife Marilyn. She graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a degree in nursing and worked as a registered nurse for over 30 years. She married Dr. Wayne Andersen in 1984 and they had four children together: Ben, Olivia, Ian, and Luke.
Lori was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who loved spending time with her family and friends. She was also a passionate advocate for health and wellness, and supported her husband’s vision of creating Optavia, a company that offers low-calorie, high-protein, and probiotic-rich products, as well as personalized coaching and community support, to help people achieve their optimal weight and health.
Lori was an independent Optavia coach herself, and helped thousands of people transform their lives through the program. She was also a mentor and leader for other coaches, and inspired them with her enthusiasm, positivity, and generosity. She was described by many as a genuine, warm, and caring person who had a presence that was hard to forget.
What Is the Optavia Diet?
The Optavia diet is a low-calorie, reduced-carb program that combines packaged foods, homemade meals, and personalized coaching to encourage weight loss. The program offers several plans to choose from, all of which involve a mixture of packaged Optavia Fuelings and homemade entrees known as Lean and Green meals.
Optavia Fuelings are Optavia-branded products that are low in carbs and high in protein and contain added probiotics — friendly bacteria that may boost your gut health2. You can choose from more than 60 Optavia Fuelings, including bars, cookies, shakes, puddings, cereals, soups, and pastas.
Lean and Green meals are balanced meals that you prepare yourself, consisting of lean protein, non-starchy vegetables, and healthy fats. You can also opt for premade low-carb meals called Flavors of Home as a replacement for Lean and Green meals.
The Optavia diet also provides one-on-one coaching from an independent Optavia coach, who delivers guidance and inspiration on your journey. Additionally, you can join a community of like-minded people who provide real-time encouragement and support.
The Optavia diet claims to help you lose weight by creating a calorie deficit and putting your body into a gentle fat-burning state. It also claims to teach you the Habits of Health, a system that offers easy steps to a sustainably healthy lifestyle.
What Are the Pros and Cons of the Optavia Diet?
The Optavia diet has been shown to result in short-term weight loss, but research is needed on its long-term effectiveness. The weight loss plan has limited food options and relies largely on packaged, heavily processed meals and snacks.
Some of the pros of the Optavia diet are:
- It may help you lose weight quickly and easily by providing pre-portioned and calorie-controlled foods.
- It may reduce your hunger and cravings by providing high-protein and low-carb foods.
- It may improve your gut health by providing probiotics in some of the products.
- It may provide convenience and simplicity by taking the guesswork out of meal planning and preparation.
- It may provide motivation and accountability by offering coaching and community support.
Some of the cons of the Optavia diet are:
- It may be expensive, as the Optavia Fuelings and Flavors of Home meals can cost up to $400 per month, not including the cost of coaching and shipping.
- It may be restrictive, as you have to follow a specific plan and eat mostly Optavia products, which may limit your food choices and variety.
- It may be unsustainable, as you may not learn how to make healthy food choices and portion sizes on your own, and may regain the weight once you stop the program.
- It may cause side effects, such as fatigue, headache, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, bad breath, and hair loss, due to the low-calorie and low-carb intake.
- It may be unsuitable for some people, such as those with food allergies, sensitivities, or intolerances, as well as those with certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, kidney disease, or pregnancy.
How to Honor Lori Lynn Andersen’s Legacy?
Lori Lynn Andersen’s death was a tragic loss for the Optavia community and the health and wellness industry. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, coach, mentor, and friend who touched many lives with her kindness and compassion. She was also a role model for many people who wanted to improve their health and well-being.
If you want to honor Lori Lynn Andersen’s legacy, you can do so by following her example and living a healthy and happy life. You can also support her family and the Optavia community by sending them your condolences and prayers. You can also donate to the Lori Lynn Andersen Memorial Fund, which was established to support the causes that Lori cared about, such as education, health, and wellness.
Lori Lynn Andersen will be remembered as a bright and beautiful soul who made a positive impact on the world. She will be missed by many, but her spirit will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.
